Porthall () is a village and townland in County Donegal, Ireland. The village is located on the west bank of the River Foyle, in The Laggan district of East Donegal, on the R265 road. The nearest town is Lifford, the county town. History Battle of Binnion Hill The Battle of Binnion Hill was fought in 1557 just a short distance from Porthall, approx. 2.5 miles (4 kilometres) North West. The battle came about when John O’Neill, the Grandson of Con O’Neill assembled an army to attack Tirconnell, modern day County Donegal. O’Neill's plan was to defeat Manus O'Donnell from the Kinel-Connell and thus be the only King in Ulster. On the O’Neills side were people from Oriel, modern day Counties Armagh, Louth and Monaghan and from Dundalk, County Louth, also part of O’Neill's army was Hugh O’Donnell (brother of Calvagh) and his followers. The Kinel-Connell was in turmoil at this time as Calvagh O'Donnell had his father locked up for two years so that he himself could be ruler of the O’Donnells and O’Donnell lands. Calvagh, unsure of what to do in the event of an attack from the O’Neills consulted with his father who advised not to attack the O’Neills but to wait until they crossed the river and then to attack their camp at Carraig Laith (Carrickalee, Strabane, County Tyrone). Carraig Laith is close to where the two rivers meet to create the River Foyle. O’Neill and his army left their camp in Tyrone, crossing the River Finn and marched towards Raphoe then along the Laggan to a place called Baile-aighidh-chaoin, where they set up a new camp. This is now known as Balleeghan townland, close to the banks of Lough Swilly in Raymoghy Parish. Calvagh was at a meeting on the summit of Bennin (Binnion). Others with Calvagh were his son Con and Walter McSweeney who had brought two companies of gallowglasses of the McSweeneys of Fanad. Also there was Donnell Gorm McSweeney and his followers who were the descendants of Donnell. Two members of Calvagh's party were sent to spy on the O’Neill camp and report back to Calvagh at Binnion. On hearing the testimony of the spying mission Calvagh decide to attack John O’Neill and his forces at his camp immediately. The troops of Calvagh numbering two battalions marched on the O’Neill camp and began killing and slaughtering all before them. John O’Neill on hearing